Today we’ve got a very special shoot from one of our favorite places, Disney World! This vintage Disney inspired elopement shoot is brought to us by Degrees North Images who clearly shares our love of fairy tales! They take us to the beachside location of Disney’s Boardwalk for this shoot and here’s what they had to say about the day.

I’m a very nostalgic girl who loves an adventure…and Disney! I used to be a Disney Cast Member and my husband and I got married at Walt Disney World so I have a very soft spot for all things Disney fairytale…because they really do exist! I wanted to create a shoot to inspire couples who reflect that sentiment and I knew the absolute perfect place to do it was at Disney’s Boardwalk and the Beach Club Resort’s beach on Crescent Lake.

Elopements aren’t what they used to be. With wedding costs rising, a lot of couples are bucking the modern tradition of the big white wedding to truly craft a day that’s all about them! Couples that decide to elope are inviting close family, buying a dress, and even traveling to epic destinations. I wanted to celebrate those daringly romantic and special couples and with the help of Yasmen Katrina Events, we were able to design a classic, vintage elopement inspiration at the Happiest Place on Earth! Walt Disney World has been hosting weddings on their property for decades now, but a lot of couples (and their families) still think a Disney wedding is too expensive and that it could even be a little hokie. Sure, if you want Mickey and Minnie to attend, you can have that, but if you’re looking for something a little more subtle, you can have that too…and this is the proof!

Our adorable stationary suit from Stone Werks set the tone. The carnival style matched the Coney Island vibe of the Boardwalk and the included ticket invited guests to come for the embarrassing speeches and joy! Our real life, newly engaged couple Kristine and Nicholas couldn’t wait to see the day unfold!

We definitely wanted to keep with the vintage theme so we opted for a short dress. The Justin Alexander gown from Casa di Bella and the vintage inspired hairstyle beautifully sculpted by Laura Reynolds Artistry made our bride, Kristine, look like she was straight out of 1940! We literally all gasped when we saw her! To add some classic Disney into her look, we adorned her with matching Minnie Mouse bow earrings and necklace. Nicholas was festive in suspenders and bow tie. The Flower Studio pulled colors from the buildings lining the Boardwalk and constructed a quirky, modern bouquet and bout and By Brittany Branson hand painted a set of Just Eloped canvases for our couple to announce the news! The canvases even feature some “hidden Mickeys”! In the spirit of a romantic, adventurous elopement, our couple celebrated with a morning picnic at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, just across Crescent Lake from the “historic” boardwalk. That’s Darlin’ assembled a beautiful basket complete with blanket, fruit, sodas and some sweet treats! Adventuring with your one true love is the most romantic, fun story you could ever share with future generations. A little Disney magic ensures it’ll be the best day ever!

It’s our final day of coverage from the luxury wedding industry summit, Engage!15, where we got to spend a week learning, engaging, and getting inspired by some of our favorite industry friends. And two of our favorite friends are the hosts – the incredible duo – Kathryn Arce and Rebecca Grinnals ofEngaging Concepts(pictured above). This year the event had a nod to all things magical, because it took place at Walt Disney World; the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort that is. So befitting of the location, Kathryn and Rebecca filled our days with so many moments of magic and surprises, including a trip to Walt Disney World! We got to experience it all! Did you know that you can get married at Disney World and Disneyland? Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons takes care of it all for you! And today we’ve got a few fun ideas inspired by Disney, that we got to see firsthand, should your big day be inspired by magic too!

Thank you Kath and Rebecca for making my dreams come true, over and over and over again, with true Disney magic. I’m so lucky to be a part of Engage!

We’re almost to the end of our mega Engage!15 recap and today we’re highlighting one amazing gala, perfect for a formal destination wedding, modern wedding, or all white (or even yellow) wedding. The event took place at the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, where 350 of the top wedding professionals around the world gathered to share their expertise and celebrate together. The result? This stunning reception filled with fabulous ideas for your big day! Starting with modern arrangements of individual yellow roses atop an ice bar!

We’ve got one more day of ideas for you from Engage!15 tomorrow – we’ll see you then!

Up next in our Engage!15 recap of this incredible wedding industry conference is an Alice in Wonderland inspired party, on the lawn at the Four Seasons Orlando. If you’re getting married at Disneyland or Disney World, this is one theme to keep in mind – think red and pink roses and oodles of inventive details and subtle nods to a classic Disney film.

However, if this is a bit too specific of a design idea for your destination wedding then consider the concept for a festive bridal shower! Either way, the talented team of event professionals who put on this amazing party provided us with lots of great ideas for weddings, bars, even a new spin on an old photo booth! Enjoy!

Today we’re taking you on a little trip for a domestic destination wedding. Florida is the most popular place to travel for stateside “I do’s,” pair that with the Ritz Carlton and you’ve got a perfect nuptial blend. The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is set a bit outside the city for that getaway feeling and sense of relaxation, but still close enough in proximity for it to be a convenient locale for travelers (and of course a big plus for those with kids taking time for a theme park filled vacation).

A sprawling property, this place has it all for that big family, ballroom wedding but away from home nonetheless. Eleven exquisite restaurants, 500+ hotel rooms and suites, a mega spa with incredible indulgences (think citrus-inspired treatments) for your bridal party, and of course, a Greg Norman-signature golf course for the guys.

The resort certainly feels like a fortress, one with the finest amenities, lavish suites, and great service in my stay experience. It’s the perfect place for a family who wants a bit more formal affair but the couple wants to get out of town and hit the road too. An ideal marriage of the two without breaking the bank of your guests to get there.

Whether permitting, we love the outdoor spaces of this resort, though there are three main level ballrooms too should you opt to go inside. Either way, be sure to schedule some sun time poolside with your personal pool concierge.

Flowers girls and ring bearers? Don’t forget out the Ritz Kids program which in this locale can mean fly fishing, lady bug release and kayaking. Can I be a kid?

Into an eco-adventure? They’ve got that too! Brush up on your skills at the Ritz Carlton’s fly fishing school, get out into the wilderness in a private eco-tour on Shingle Creek and the Everglades, or enjoy an afternoon hike with a crew or just for two.

And don’t forget, if you’re jetting off to the sunshine state, you’re not too far from the Caribbean for that intimate tropical honeymoon after your grand “I do’s” at Grande Lakes!

Tip: When in Orlando, bring out the kid in you and take your wedding photographer to Disneyworld and Epcot Center for a day of fabulous photos and fun you’ll never forget.

When to Go: High season is March to April, mid-June to mid-August, mid-December to early January – we suggest avoiding those kid-friendly vacation times if you can (better rates in the shoulder season and fewer crowds if you do venture to the parks).